#diamond ball 2015

[sunsetkerr]

THE WORLD CHAMPS | s.kerr

summary: you are about to play the game of your life and sam is right there on the sidelines cheering for you. [1.6k words]

pairing: netball!reader x sam kerr

notes: netball!reader is my new favourite thing

YOU KNEW THAT AUGUST would be a busy month for you and sam. she and the matildas had just progressed out of the group stages in the world up, but so had you. 

at 18 you received the call-up to play for the australian diamonds netball team. you played in the constellation cup against the silver ferns and came out on top, a new name in national netball; people loved you.

you played through the year with the diamonds, often playing with your state team too. but in the january after your first cup, you tore your acl. only 19, people thought you were done for with the way you went down. it had the nation talking about netball, about how its rising star had fallen from the sky.

an estimated 6-9 months in recovery became 12 and you hadn't picked up a ball since; resenting the sport that you loved. once cleared to return to netball, you were eager to return, to show everyone they had no reason to doubt you; that you would play for australia again.

the diamonds kept you in the reserves your first season back in 2015, too nervous about your leg. you got to watch the diamonds take home the world cup on home soil. whilst you couldn't play for the nation, you played at suncorp level once again- this time, smashing your scoring record. you shot 653 goals in the regular season for the thunderbirds, beating your personal best of 597.

you were back and netball fans around the nation knew it.

the next season you were back working with the diamonds, making your way towards one goal- playing in the world cup.

when it came around, you were picked in the starting seven- shooting goals for your country. you broke your personal best again, 653 becoming 672. you were approaching most goals scored ever by a singular player.

but second place smacked you and your girls harshly back into reality, you left with no cup. you left runners up. clips of you crying on the court went viral, your fans knew what that game meant to you. you were broken to lose.

the next year, you were signed to nike. you became a spokesperson for their newest line of netball shoes that they had manufactured and your face was plastered all over the country. billboards, posters, and any advertisement had you on the front.

soon, nike called you to a shoot with all of their major athletes, wanting to showcase the faces of their campaigns; and that’s when you met sam.

your entire world shifted. she was funny, confident, beautiful and smart; and you fell for her straight away. netball and sam were the only two things on your mind.

two months into being friends, she asked you to be her girlfriend.

news outlets were noticing how much time you both started spending together, how you were always in the stands at each others games if they didn’t conflict with the other persons. the instagram stories, being in the background of each others posts. people began to catch on.

but when you scored the winning goal at the 2022 commonwealth games against jamaica, sam and the rest of your teams family rushed the court; and she kissed you right there, on live television.

the secret was out, and you and sam quickly became one of australia’s favourite couples.

you both constantly showed off your unwavering amount of support for each others careers. matilda’s fans adored seeing you in the documentary and revelled in getting a peak into how crazy your life with sam really is. constantly travelling, constantly trying to make time for each other.

you both knew that your careers meant the world to you. you were determined to go back to the world cup in 2023 and win. she wanted to do the same.

but you both always knew what you went home to; each other, and that was enough for you both.

you worked hard to get picked back into the starting seven for the world cup, your coaches noticed your commitment and dedication- you were put in the line up, no questions asked.

you worked through the group stages and through the second stage, then the play-offs. the grand final was now staring you in the eyes, and england would be tough to beat, but you weren't planning on taking it easy on them.

you woke up early to get to the training centre with the girls, letting sam sleep in. you talked tactics, did some drills and watched through some past matches from the cup to talk about focuses for the final. you always got nervous before a big game, but this one had skyrocketed your anxiety.

sam had been called by your teammate ruby, when she found you throwing up in the bathroom for the second time that day.

"you're crazy if you think you're playing, you're obviously not well," her voice crackled through ruby's phone. you knew that you were fine, it was just the nerves- they were knocking you onto your ass.

"you're crazy if you think i'm not," you bit back, sam surprised by the bite in your tone. "i ate heaps at breakfast, and then ran sucicides for 25 minutes, sam" you explained. ruby shot you a look, knowing you were lying to your girlfriend. "i'm fine," you emphasised.

"you need to call it if you're not y/n" she said, sat with her elbows against her knees and her hand over her mouth. sat back in the hotel, she began to bite her nails. knowing that you could be bleeding out, and you would still play in this final. nothing would stop you. they would have to drag you out kicking and screaming.

"would you?" you ask her, eyebrows raised. sam didn't respond, only sitting in guilty silence. sam has played games ill on multiple occasions. through gastro, the flu and covid. you sat by her side every time and knew that, inevitably, she would be walking onto that pitch; too strong willed for her own good. you weren't much better.

"sam?" you called her name.

"no.." she sighed, knowing you were right. "no, i wouldn't" she said. "but even when i was sick i still told you if i was or not, so tell me; are you okay?"

you sighed, resting your head against the tiled walls of the bathroom. "i think it's just nerves," you admitted, "i-" you sighed again- "i'm shitting myself, i'm so nervous."

"baby" she tutted, "you're gonna be great. you've got this in the bag, yeah?"

"don't say that," you shook your head, "we lost to them last time."

it was true. in the group stages, you did- you lost to england.

"yeah, by a fucking point y/n"

"a point that i missed," you felt that loss heavy on your shoulders.

"she contacted you and the ref didn't call it," sam argued.

"i still missed"

"and you're not going to today," she told you, "you're gonna beat that pb, you're 33 off beating it". it was true, you were once again nearing your personal best for most goals in a season. "and i know that you're gonna shoot more than 33 tonight," she smiled.

"you think?" you whispered.

"i know"

and she was right. just as the half time whistle sounded, you had a penalty shot. the crowd cheered as you set up for your shot. sam was starting to stand up in her seat just a row behind the bench. she was cheering louder than anyone else there. you heard her 'come on, y/n' over everyone else in the crowd. macca and alanna sat on either side of sam, mary, hayley and steph there too to cheer you on.

you took a breath, straightened your elbow and shot with one hand, other arm by your side- your signature.

nothing but net.

the crowd went crazy. steph, your goal attack, engulfed you in her embrace. the england defenders congratulated you. you turned to where sam was sat and smile. she was now standing up straight celebrating with her teammates. she held up her first and met your gaze.

you smiled again, pretending to shoot another goal. she whistled out at you and pointed to you. the cameras caught it all. the crowd cheering at your interaction.

australia led at halftime 27-23.

in the last quarter, you were on fire. you shot every goal you went for, and the wheels fell off for england.

when the final whistle sounded, you were a world champ. 

your team defeated england 61-45. your subs rushed the court, so did your coaching staff. you screamed, running to meet your teammates. 

sam watched on as tears streamed down your face. liz, your captain, passed you the trophy as it was brought out for your team. you raised it up, the crowd knowing how special this was for you. after a long journey, you finally got to hold that cup. you looked up into the stands, to find sam. she was crying too, wiping tears from her eyes as macca hugged her. you sent her a smile, tears still streaming down your face as you cried. you blew her a kiss with your other hand, and she caught it, holding up her hand. 

“holy shit!” you shouted over to her. 

“i knew you could do it!” she called back. you laughed at her before being brought back into the moment with your team, only now- you were world champs. 

and even though the title rested on your shoulders, you couldn't wait to go home with sam tonight- you were always a champion to her, title or not.

[a-risk-to-take]

….you posted your tattoo (sick) and linked to house of dirk and i read it all and its unfinished. if you hadn’t posted i may have lived my life without getting fanfic blue balled for the first time since 2015. if you have any sympathy for my loss you would give me fanfic recs >:[ /lh

I feel your pain believe me 😭😭 I’m sorry I didn’t warn you at least. I’m low-key hoping the tattoo image gets to imarriedacherub and inspires them to continue the story - obviously not likely but it’s nice to dream!

I got recs for you though! I’ve got hundreds of bookmarks on my ao3 but here’s the HS stuff I love the most:

The epics:

Dayvhe’s Broken Diamond Club and everything by @unda-dsk: DBDC is my personal fave of theirs, and the best treatment of troll culture in any fic ever. If you know HS fic you are probably aware of MC Escher That’s My Favorite MC, and that one is absolutely excellent and completely deserves its status as one of the very best. And then there’s Alternate Universe, which is a perfect and beautiful magic school story. All of these are absolutely top-tier - I cannot stress this enough. They are epic and very long but some of the best stuff I’ve ever read—fanfic or otherwise—and they changed me when I read them. Despite the length, DBDC is very episodic so you can read each chapter as its own story and easily take breaks in between them without losing the flow, so you might want to start there. I promise it’s worth it!!

so we don’t kill the ones we love by @callmearcturus: I’ve never read anyone who can create an atmosphere like Arc can - this one is kind of a John Wick AU but in a really refreshing and elevated way. The characterization is so on point. Lots more I could rave about but I’ll just add that Arc’s Karkats are the hottest and most based out there. Again all his stuff is really good - this one is my favorite, but don’t miss this really cool magic artisan AU also.

The meteorstucks:

Aahhh there’s no way this is gonna be complete because I’ve read like hundreds and I get them confused but these are some that stand out. In case you haven’t notice already this list is gonna be very davekat centric!

Keep It Down by sburbanite - chef’s kiss concept and execution just read it

A Xenological Exploration of Music and Language by superbloom - super fun and well written with neat headcanon - and turned me on to some great music

I’m actually gonna just declare this section unfinished for now - I need to revisit these and remind myself what’s what - stay tuned!

Illustrated

Since you liked HoD you might be looking for more comic-y stuff with art. Definitely check out @chthonicarcher’s amazing davekats! Such as That’s All We Are

Dream a Little Dream of Me by koroke - this is just a little dream bubble comic but it’s simply the loveliest and I’m massively envious of the art style

Gonna Need Some Windex by the End of the Year by magniloquentChanteuse - more artistic storytelling just neat!

More

It’s About Time by @laurasauras - this is a sweet cute lovely little time travel davekat that I actually sent to a friend to read who knew nothing about HS and successfully led them into the fandom. (Followed by AU by Unda). Laurasauras is prolific and there are so many great fics written by them I can’t list them all here but they are one of my absolute favorite authors. Their understanding of the strider psyche is absolutely impeccable

The Worst Goddamn Movies Ever Fucking Made by writerbot - this fic brought me so much hilarity and joy I can’t even tell you. The Karkat voice is perfect and delightful and the social media interludes are so fucking funny and impressive. One of the first fics to show me how creative and funny this fandom can be.

I’m surely going to add to this - there are so many more meteorstucks and other authors I know I’ll think of after I post this - but I don’t want to spend too much longer on this now when you could be reading some of this great stuff! ENJOY!!

[prettyfuul]

Rihanna in dark blue Zac Posen gown for the diamond ball in 2015.

[gabriellademonaco]

Princess Charlene’s yellow diamond jewellery throughout the years:

Yorkshire Variety Club Golden Ball 2011

Monte Carlo TV Festival 2015

Monte Carlo Masters 2016

Monte Carlo TV Festival 2016

National Day 2019

Monte Carlo TV Festival 2023

[ultimate-anime-tournament]

Ultimate Anime Tournament: Round 1, Matchup 125

[rihanna-online]

diamond ball, los angeles (december 10, 2015)

[sp3cters]

[    𝙻𝙾𝙰𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶   ...   ]   GOVERNOR'S  BALL  2049

⌗     JORDAN  ZHENG  attends  sentinel  electric's  governor's  ball  (  03/31/2049  )  .  a  seasoned  agent  among  the  mercy  organization  ,  zheng  appears  in  a  suit  from  ralph  lauren's  fall/winter  2015  collection  .  a  simple  look  that's  paired  with  bowtie  pumps  by  aquazurra  ,  a  watch  from  omega's  speedmaster  moonwatch  series  ,  and  polished  off  with  a  pair  of  dainty  diamond  vine  earrings  .

[princesssarisa]

What are the differences between the movie and the Cinderella story?

This is no easy question, because there are many different Cinderella stories and many different Cinderella movies.

Since you've sent me so many Disney asks in the past, I'll just assume you mean Disney's Cinderella, and I'll assume you mean the 1950 animated classic, not the 2015 live-action remake.

So let's compare Disney's animated Cinderella to the version of the fairy tale that it's based on, Charles Perrault's version:

*Perrault's version was written in the late 1600s and clearly takes place in the 1600s. The fashions described when the stepsisters are planning what to wear to the ball reflect the fashions of the day (e.g. the younger sister plans to wear a diamond stomacher). Disney's Cinderella, on the other hand, seems to take place in the mid 1800s, long after Perrault's era.

*In Perrault's tale, Cinderella's father is still alive, but dominated by his wife, so he does nothing to stop her from reducing Cinderella to servitude. In the Disney film, he dies when Cinderella is still a child, and only then does the Stepmother reveal her cruelty.

*In Perrault's tale, none of the characters are named except Cinderella herself and the elder of her two stepsisters, Javotte. In the Disney film, the Stepmother's name is Lady Tremaine and her daughters are named Drizella and Anastasia. (The French dub changes Drizella's name to Javotte, though.)

*In Perrault's version, the stepsisters are described as being "exactly like" their mother. In the Disney film, Drizella and Anastasia are loud, brash, awkward, and comical, while Lady Tremaine is cold, dignified, serious, and sinister.

*In Perrault's version, "Cinderella" is a nickname the younger stepsister gives her, because she sits among the cinders in the chimney corner. (The older stepsister Javotte, who is nastier than the younger one, prefers to call her "Cinderwench" or "Cinderbottom.") In the Disney version, Cinderella is her real name (the narrator introduces her as her father's "little daughter Cinderella"), and she's never shown sitting in the ashes.

*Perrault claims that Cinderella's late mother was "the best creature in the world," and that Cinderella inherited her goodness and sweetness. In the Disney version, we learn nothing about Cinderella's mother, only that the pink dress Cinderella almost wears to the ball originally belonged to her.

*In Perrault's version, Cinderella's family is never said to be lacking in wealth. In the Disney version, while it isn't emphasized, they're living in genteel poverty, the stepfamily having squandered their fortune away – this presumably explains why Cinderella is the household's only servant and gives Lady Tremaine a further motive for seeking a royal marriage for her daughters.

*In Perrault's version, Cinderella has only a straw mat to sleep on. In the Disney film, while she still has to sleep in a garret, she at least has a proper bed.

*In Perrault's version, the mice that the Fairy Godmother turns into horses are just ordinary mice that she finds in a mousetrap. In the Disney version, the mice – chief among them Jaq and Gus – are anthropomorphic characters, who speak broken English in high, chattery voices, and who are Cinderella's constant companions. She also has bird friends and a pet dog named Bruno, who don't exist in Perrault's version.

*Perrault's Stepmother has no animal companion. Disney's Lady Tremaine has a cat named Lucifer, who terrorizes the mice.

*Perrault's Stepmother goes out of focus after the opening paragraphs, with her two daughters getting more emphasis as the main antagonists. Disney's Lady Tremaine is an active villain who works against Cinderella throughout the movie.

*In Perrault's story, the ball is given by the Prince himself, for no specific reason. In the Disney film, the ball is given by the King, ostensibly to celebrate the Prince's return from his travels, but really so he can find a wife. The Prince doesn't even approve of it and is bored until Cinderella arrives. (This change is borrowed from the Grimms' version, where the king gives the ball to find a wife for his son, and is common to most adaptations of the story.)

*In Perrault's version, both of the Prince's parents are still alive, but they're only mentioned in passing at the ball, when the King whispers to the Queen that it's been many years since he saw someone as lovely as Cinderella. In Disney's film, the King is a widower, and has a more prominent comic relief role, striving to marry off his son because he wants grandchildren and humorously terrorizing his right-hand man the Grand Duke with his temper.

*Perrault's Cinderella makes no attempt to go to the ball – the stepsisters tease her about wanting to go, but she sadly replies that she knows it's no place for her. Disney's Cinderella asserts her right to go to the ball, because the invitation was for "every" eligible maiden in the kingdom. The Stepmother agrees to let her go if she can finish all her chores in time and find something suitable to wear, but then she and her daughters intentionally keep her too busy to do so. But Cinderella's mouse and bird friends surprise her by fixing up an old dress of her mother's for her to wear to the ball. Unfortunately, they add accessories to it that the stepsisters had thrown away, and when the stepsisters see Cinderella wearing "their" things, they get so angry that they rip the dress to pieces.

*In Perrault's version, the Fairy Godmother is casually introduced, as if Cinderella already knows her. In the Disney version, as in most adaptations, Cinderella first meets her on the night of the ball. She also reappears twice in Perrault's version – after the ball, when Cinderella tells her about it, and after the slipper fitting near the end, to turn Cinderella's rags back into finery. Disney's Fairy Godmother only appears in the one scene where she sends Cinderella to the ball.

*Perrault's Fairy Godmother cuts open the pumpkin and scoops out the pulp and seeds before she turns it into a coach. She doesn't do this in the Disney version.

*Perrault's pumpkin coach is gold. Disney's is white, though it has gold trim.

*Perrault's Fairy Godmother turns six mice into six dapple gray horses, a rat into a coachman, and six lizards into six footmen. Disney's Fairy Godmother turns four mice into four white horses, an old work horse into a coachman, and Cinderella's dog Bruno into a footman.

*The ballgown of Perrault's Cinderella is silver and gold, beset with jewels. The ballgown of Disney's Cinderella is pure silver with white accents (and in spin-off merchandise, it's blue).

*In Perrault's version, Cinderella's arrival at the ball (as "a great princess, whom nobody knew") is announced to the Prince, who comes outside to greet her and leads her into the palace. A hush instantly falls over the whole assembly as everyone marvels at the beautiful newcomer in her magnificent clothes. In the Disney version, Cinderella enters the palace by herself, with no fanfare, and at first no one notices her because they're all focused on the Prince, but then the Prince himself sees her, approaches her, and invites her to dance, and only then does the rest of the assembly notice her too.

*Perrault's Cinderella presumably knows that her suitor is the Prince all along. Disney's Cinderella doesn't realize he's the Prince until the next morning, when she learns it from her Stepmother.

*In Perrault's version, the dancing at the ball is followed by a banquet, where the King gives a gift of oranges and citrons to Cinderella, who then sits by her stepsisters, shares the fruit with them, and makes friendly conversation with them, unrecognized. In Disney's version, there's no meal at the ball, Cinderella never interacts with her stepfamily while there, and Lady Tremaine almost recognizes her, but is stopped from getting a closer look by the Grand Duke. Her evening consists only of dancing with the Prince, then strolling in the garden with him.

*In Perrault's version, the ball is a two-night event. On the first night, Cinderella makes a timely exit at 11:45, and goes home to tell her Fairy Godmother all about it, and then listen with secret amusement as her stepsisters tell her about the "princess" when they come home. The second night, she goes back to the palace dressed even more magnificently than before, but in dancing and conversing with the Prince, she loses track of the time, is forced to run away at midnight, and loses her glass slipper. In the Disney version, the ball is only one night.

*In Perrault's version, the Prince is the one who proclaims that he'll marry the girl who fits the glass slipper, and sends it out to be tried on various different ladies. In the Disney version, while the Prince says (offscreen) that he'll marry only the girl who fits the glass slipper, the idea to try it on every maiden in the kingdom is the King's idea – the Grand Duke points out that the slipper could fit any number of girls, but the King clearly doesn't care whether they find Cinderella or not, he just wants to hold his son to his exact words and make him marry the first girl the slipper fits.

*Perrault's Cinderella isn't recognized by her stepfamily as the "princess" from the ball until she tries on the glass slipper. In the Disney film, Lady Tremaine overhears Cinderella humming the music from the ball, realizes she was the "princess," and locks her in her attic room to prevent her from trying on the slipper. But her mouse friends steal the key and free her, with the help of her dog Bruno, who chases Lucifer the cat away when the latter tries to stop them.

*In Perrault's version, the man sent to try the slipper on the ladies is just a "gentleman." In the Disney version, he's the Grand Duke.

*In Perrault's version, Cinderella tries on the slipper she lost, proves her identity when it fits, and only then reveals that she has the other slipper too. In the Disney version, the Stepmother trips the page carrying the slipper, breaking it, but then Cinderella proves her identity by revealing that she has the other slipper and that it fits.

*At this point, Perrault's Fairy Godmother enters and turns Cinderella's rags into another magnificent gown. Then her stepsisters beg her forgiveness for the way they treated her. Cinderella does forgive them, brings them to live at the palace, and arranges for them to marry two gentlemen of the court on the same day she marries the Prince. The Disney version cuts straight from the slipper fitting to Cinderella's wedding, and the stepfamily doesn't appear again.

*The two morals that Perrault draws from the story in rhyming verse at the end are "Graciousness matters more than beauty or finery," and "Virtue is well and good, but useless without a helpful godparent." (Presumably the second one is meant as a joke.) The main message the Disney film emphasizes, through the song "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," is to have faith that your dreams can come true.

I think that covers all the differences.

[adarkrainbow]

Behind Peau d’Âne (1970) - C

# The music of the movie was created by Michel Legrand, who worked on several previous project of Demy (Lola, The Young Girls of Rochefort, the Umbrellas of Cherbourg). It was however the first time Legrand ever had to work on music for a fantasy film. He decided to mix different genres, the baroque, the jazz, the pop music, to give an “temporal in-between” to the music. He also used modern instruments and rythmic fugues to contrast with other French fantasy movies which rather used more medieval music (such as “Les visiteurs du soir” by Marcel Carné, The Devil’s Envoys).

# “Peau d’Âne” and the following movie, “Le Joueur de Flûte” will be Demy’s only two fairytale works. He had planned a modernized adaptation of Cinderella with roller skates with Francis Ford Coppola and the actress Nastassja Kinski in the titular role. But the project was never made.

# Disney actually noticed the success of Demy’s movie - to the point that in the 1990s and 2000s, Disney contacted several times Demy’s family about making an animated adaptation of his movie! (Because Demy died in 1990) Again, however, it was never made - notably because they ended up realizing that the themes of incest and bestiality of the story might not be well-met by the American audience. 

# The songs of the movie became so popular in French culture that you can still find them today. They are present in several movie: 2007, “Le quatrième morceau de la femme coupée en trois” (The fourth piece of the woman cut in three) ; 2014, “L’année prochaine” (Next year) by Vania Leturc..; The 2015 movie “Marguerite et Julien” by Valérie Donzelli also takes a lot of inspiration from the movie, being a story about incest filled with anachronisms and with a lyrical tone. In 2018 Peau d’Âne was even adapted as a musical at the Théâtre Marigny!

# Demy’s movie is actually based on the second version of the original tale, the prose Peau d’Âne by an anonymous writer ; it is not based on Perrault’s own Peau d’Âne written in verse (though he might have written the prose version too). Demy also decided to add in his movie other elements taken from Perrault’s tale to give a sense of a wider fairytale world. The scene of the Princess arriving at the farm with everyone frozen evokes the sleeping castle scene from Sleeping Beauty ; the old woman who hires the Princess spits toads like in “Diamonds and Toads”, and when she speaks to the Prince there are references to “Little Red Riding Hood”. When Donkey Skin is mocked by the villagers they call her “Cucendron”, the original insulting nickname from Cinderella, and the “Ball of Cats and Birds” has a guest of honor the Marquis de Carabas, from Puss in Boots.  Even beyond the fairytales of Perrault, Demy also slid nods and references to other fairytales: the deceased Blue Queen is in a glass casket, like Snow White ; the magic mirror of the Princess to watch her father is a nod to the mirror of “Beauty and the Beast”. 

# There is also a work on the seasonal cycles in the movie, which is both a nod to the fairytale genre and to the “pathetic fallacy”: the disease of the Blue Queen is revealed during a thunderstorm and corresponds to autumn. She dies in winter as her funeral takes place in the snow. It is in a young and fresh forest, spring, that the Prince and the Princess fall in love. 

# What truly makes Demy’s movie unique compared to other fairy tales adaptation is how he decided to fill his scenario with anachronisms, truly making the movie “atemporal”. Quite a bold move, that again seems to be part of Demy’s desire to fuse the “merveilleux” and the “réalisme” (fantastical and realistic). The Lilac Fairy is the main source of those anachronisms: she offers the Blue King books and poems “from the future”, written by modern French authors. The Blue King reads verses from Jean Cocteau in his “Ode à Picasso”, in which the Muses of Antiquity are described using modern tools such as zinc, phones or gas. He also reads “L’amour”, a poem by Guillaume Apollinaire. But the Princess is greatly confused by those poems she doesn’t understand, and in front of her father’s love declarations she thinks that it is this weird poetry that clouds his mind. The rest of the Lilac Fairy anachronisms comes from her mentions of “phone” and “batteries” (that highly confuse the Princess), and how her outfit clashes with the rest of the movie - as she wears high heels and a 1930s Hollywood hairdo. And finally, during the final wedding, the Blue King and the Lilac fairy arrive at the Red Castle in an helicopter. 

# Another element of the movie that might elude people is that, during the “fitting of the ring” scene, all the people whose name are announced are references to historical French figures, who either lived alongside Perrault’s time, or who were simply part of the century of rule of Louis XIV. The “Princess Pioche de la Vergne”: it was the baptism name of Madame de La Fayette. The “Princess de Monthion”, a nod to Jean-Baptiste de Montyon. The Duchess Girard de Saint-Amand, a nod to Marc-Antoine Girard de Saint Amant. The Duchess Antoinette du Ligier de la Garde - the baptism name of Antoinette Des Houlières. The Countess Le Métal de Boisrobert, a nod to François Le Métel de Boisrobert. The Countess of Escarbagnas : she was the main character of Molière’ “comedy-ballet”, “The Countess of Escarbagnas”. The Marquise Marie de Rabutin-Chantal: the baptism name of the Marquise de Sévigné. The Countess Le Bovier de Fontenelle: a nod to Bernard Le Bouyer de Fontenelle. The Baroness Mary Wortley Montagu: a nod Mary Wortley Montagu. The Baroness Vauqelin de la Fresnaye: a reference to Jean Vauquelin de La Fresnaye. Earlier in the movie Godefroy, the friend of the Prince, talks about “La Ségur” and “La Clèves” : the first one is a nod to the Comtess de Ségur, and the other is a nod to “La Princesse de Clèves”, the most famous work of Madame de Lafayette.

# As I said previously, the “atemporality” of the movie is also present through the music of Michel Legrand, which mixes Renaissance music, jazz sounds and the Disney movies soundtracks. The costumes too mix fashions: the Princess and Blue Queen are dressed at the Louis XV fashion, the prince has a Henri II fashion, the valets are dressed in more generic Middle-Ages, and the peasants are taken out of the paintings of Le Nain. 

# While the Princess is clearly depicted as a “victim character”, and in her first scenes is surrounded by doves to highlight her innocence and purity, she is actually much active and stronger than it seems. She opposes her Fairy Godmother’s plans at first, and she is the one who makes “seducing” moves towards the prince by blinding him with her mirror or putting her ring in the cake. In a meta-reference, her fleeing of the castle is described as her being tired of waiting for a “prince charming” to save her, and in her own words - if he won’t come to her, she’ll find one on her own. In fact, it is only by escaping the castle that she gains a name, “Peau d’Âne”, as before she was entirely nameless. And finally, instead of the Prince waking up the princess with a kiss, here it is the Princess who appears to a Prince in his bed and takes him away through the power of love. 

# The Lilac Fairy was built in opposition to the traditional idea of a fairy godmother: instead of being the “moral power” and moral authority of the story, the Lilac Fairy is a scheming character who acts quite selfishly as she ultimates wants to be the one to marry the Blue King ; and it is implied that the entire story was one slow and cruel vengeance of the fairy towards the king, of which the death of donkey was the climax. On top of subverting morals, she also subverts time itself as the main source of anachronism, from wearing a Jean Harlow haircut to riding on an helicopter. A woman lost between the past and the future, or living outside of time, she unites the traditional fairy godmother and the mythical seer as the King descrbes her as knowing the secrets of the future. The vanity of the fairy is actually an element that Demy took back from the vaudeville adaptations of Donkey Skin  in 1860-70, in which the Fairy Godmother scolds the Princess for disturbing her before she could finish preparing herself, and says that the Princess shouldn’t cry out of fear it would ruin her beauty. 

# Unlike the more cynical and harsher king of the original tale, who is said to mourn his wife in a very fast way “as if he wanted to be done with it”, Demy’s King is a passionate lover sincerely devastated by the death of his spouse, and who at first refuses to see his daughter anymore because it hurts him to see anything reminding him of his wife. The King is also the only character who expresses a carnal form of desire and love (unlike the Prince-Princess who live a chaste love) - and at the end of the movie, the last glance the King gives his daughter can be interpreted as him not having fully erased his lust for her. 

# The Prince’s character is in a “quest for true love”, but it looks a lot like a childish whim. In fact, his character has been noted as very infantile - he has extravagant love-dreams of a girl he barely met in the woods, he pretends to be sick to stay in bed daydreaming, he plays on his parents’ kindness and worry to obtain what he wants, and his capricious nature is also shown when he demands a cake done SPECIFICALLY by Donkey Skin, and later asks for the ring to be tried on by all the girls of the kingdom, despite him already knowing that it belongs to Donkey Skin. But in a true paradox, the “trial of the ring”, which seems like an extravagant caprice and profondly annoys/bores his parents, is also the only way the Prince can officially declare and recognize his love for Donkey Skin, and avoid all accusations of him trying to marry a girl “on a whim”.  Similarly, the “love dreams” of the Prince and the Princess have a very childish nature: far away from any kind of parental authority, free from all the responsibilities due to their rank, all they want is to do childish games and partake on puerile entertainments, rolling in the grass or eating lots of pastries. In fact, in the original draft of the love song between the Prince and the Princess there were lines that Demy later cut, because he thought they were too suggestive and would give an erotic reading to the song: “Nous feront ce qui est interdit / Jusqu’à la fatigue, jusqu’à l’ennui”. “We will do what is forbidden / Until we are tired, until we are bored.”

[artemismatchalatte]

Top 100 For My Spotify Wrapped 2022

1. King by Florence and the Machine 

2. Material Girl (instrumental cover for Bridgerton Season 2 sound track)

3. Dancing on My Own (Bridgerton S2 Soundtrack)

4. A Sign of the Times (Bridgerton S2 Soundtrack) 

5. Diamonds (Bridgerton S2 Soundtrack)

6. You Oughta Know (Bridgerton S2 Soundtrack) 

7. The Story of a Girl by Nine Days 

8. Wrecking Ball (Bridgerton S2 Soundtrack) 

9. Yours to Hold by Skillet

10. What about Us (Bridgerton S2 Soundtrack)

11. Wherever You will Go by The Calling

12. Sweet Child O’ Mine covered by Milk Inc. 

13. Au couer de moi by Amir

14. How You Remind Me covered by Violet Orlandi 

15. Satellites (US mix) by September 

16. You and Me by Lifehouse

17. Run (club edit) by Milk Inc. 

18. Hunger by Florence and the Machine 

19. Daisies by Katy Perry 

20. Angel by Shaggy and Rayvon

21. Here (in your arms) by Hellogoodbye

22. You're Beautiful by James Blunt 

23. Photograph by Nickleback

24. Love by Lana Del Rey 

25. Walking in Memphis covered by Cher 

26. Yellow by Coldplay 

27. Sorrow by Flyleaf 

28. How Deep is Your Love (Bridgerton S2 Soundtrack)

29. Queen of Swords by Idina Menzel 

30. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

31. Almost There by Anika Noni Rose (Tiana's solo song in Princess and the Frog)

32. Mary Jane by Alanis Morrissette 

33. Malibu by Miley Cyrus

34. Stereo Love by Edward Maya and Vika Jugilia 

35. Wonderwall by Oasis 

36. Sweet Nothing by Florence and the Machine ft. Calvin Harris 

37. Don't Call Me Angel by Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey 

38. Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift 

39. Ils Temps ma' taime by Amir

40. Do it like a Dude by Jessie J 

41. All You Wanted by Michelle Branch

42. Dans le vie by Sara'h 

43. Sick of Myself by Matthew Sweet

44. The Middle by Jimmy Eat World 

45. Scars by Papa Roach

46. I Miss You by blink-182

47. The Loving Kind by Girls Aloud

48. Nineteen Stars by Meg & Dia 

49. Crystal Ball by P!nk 

50. Little Bird by Annie Lennox

51. When the Day met the Night by Panic! At the Disco

52. Roses by Meg & Dia 

53. Everywhere by Michelle Branch 

54. Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavinge 

55. Lotus (instrumental) by Steven Horner

56. No One but You by Erutan

57. I wanna dance with somebody who loves me covered by Fall Out Boy

58. Shut up and Dance by Walk the Moon

59. Dear Maria, Count Me in by All Time Low

60. My World by Avril Lavinge 

61. Missing by Flyleaf 

62. Someone like You by The Summer Set

63. The Boulevard of Broken Dreams (instrumental) covered by Duomo

64. Geronimo by Sheppard

65. Punks Don't Dance by Crystalene 

66. I don't Care by Milk Inc. Ft. Silby

67. The Ballad of Mona Lisa by Panic! At the Disco 

68. Holding out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler

69. Closer by Tegan and Sarah 

70. Sk8er Boi covered by Cascada 

71. Cheerleader by OMI

72. Once in a Lifetime by All Time Low 

73. Bitch by Meredith Brooks 

74. The Diary of Jane covered by Violet Orlandi 

75. Check Yes, Juliet by We the Kings

76. Collide by Howie Day

77. Alcohol and Bandages by JaimsonParker

78. She had the World by Panic! at the Disco

79. Fall to Pieces by Avril Lavinge 

80. Set Apart this Dream by Flyleaf 

81. Rose Colored Boy by Paramore

82. Never Really Over by Katy Perry 

83. Alone Together by Fall Out Boy 

84. Girl Next Door by Saving Jane 

85. Shake it Out by Florence and the Machine 

86. Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato 

87. Cry for you by September 

88. Gomenasi by t.A.T.u.

89. Sugar, We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy 

90. Suddenly by superchick

91. Still into You by Paramore 

92. I want it That Way by The Backstreet Boys

93. I really like You by Carly Rae Jepsen

94. Born this Way by Lady Gaga 

95. Everybody's Fool by Evanescence 

96. Autumn Leaves by Daniel Kajmakoski (Macedonia Eurovision 2015)

97. Girls Chase Boys by Ingrid Michaelson 

98. Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley 

99. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper 

100. All the Things She Said by t.A.T.u.

[just-1other-nerd]

So I just watched this incredibly great video and I totally agree with everything except to small things:

First of all I don't like Ella's hairstyle all too much in the dance scene because I think it looks rather stiff compared to the rest of the movie, idk I feel like I can see the hairspray. And the glitter on her skin and the diamonds in her hair are a bit too much for my taste as well as I think that the butterflies are just a tad too big.

And the second and more important thing is that while I don't mind them cutting the multiple songs to not make the film a musical I do take issue with them using "Lavender's blue" as THE song of the movie. I like the song but it hasn't got any nostalgia to me since I grew up in a non-English speaking country. And I think it's a weird choice when you consider that the song is a Disney song (from "So Dear to my Heart" according to Wikipedia) based on a folksong that hasn't got any connection to the animated Disney Cinderella. I just think that "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" would have been the better choice since it would have been a lovely connection to the animated film from 1950 sung in Lily James's gorgeous voice like it is in the credits. Just imagine how the meaning of the song changes throughout the movie. First it is a sweet and hopeful lullaby sung by her mother, when she arrives at the ball and acends the staircase the melody of the "a dream that you wish will come true" part plays in an epic, grand way and then later when she's locked up but clings onto that hope it could start as comfort for herself but the she finds more confidence in the words and others start hearing her making her wish come true.

While I do have other minor problems with the script the thing with "Lavender's blue" is the only one that bugs me.

[johncenamovie]

Unveiling the Cinematic World of John Cena

A Ringside Seat to John Cena's Hollywood Journey

In the vast landscape of Hollywood, where stars shine and fade, ภาพยนตร์ที่มี จอห์น ซีนา  has carved a unique niche for himself. From the electrifying atmosphere of the wrestling ring to the silver screen's captivating allure, Cena has seamlessly transitioned into the realm of acting. Join me as we take a ringside seat to explore some of the remarkable movies featuring this charismatic and multifaceted entertainer.

From Body Slams to Blockbusters: Cena's Cinematic Evolution

John Cena's journey in cinema is as dynamic as his in-ring performances. Let's delve into the evolution of this larger-than-life personality on the big screen:

The Marine (2006): Diving into the Deep End

Cena's inaugural lead role in this action-packed thriller showcased his prowess beyond the wrestling ring.

Imagine Cena as a human wrecking ball, crashing through explosions and navigating intense situations. It's not just a movie; it's Cena's baptism into the cinematic world.

Trainwreck (2015): A Comedic Knockout

Cena's cameo in this romantic comedy was a delightful surprise for fans.

Picture Cena flexing his comedic muscles, delivering punchlines with impeccable timing. It's a hilarious departure from the muscle-bound hero we're accustomed to.

Breaking Stereotypes: Cena's Diverse Roles

In the world of cinema, versatility is the key to longevity. John Cena has not only embraced this philosophy but has excelled in breaking stereotypes, showcasing a range that extends far beyond the wrestling persona.

Bumblebee (2018): Transforming Beyond the Ring

Cena's portrayal as the antagonist in this Transformers installment demonstrated his ability to play complex characters.

Witness Cena as a formidable military figure, a stark departure from the flamboyance of the wrestling ring. It's like watching a chameleon gracefully adapt to its surroundings.

Playing with Fire (2019): The Family-Friendly Flame

Cena's foray into family comedies, with this heartwarming film, proved he could tug at the audience's heartstrings.

See Cena as a tough firefighter turned babysitter, navigating through chaos with a mix of humor and sincerity. It's akin to watching a seasoned wrestler execute a surprising and heartwarming finishing move.

In the Fast Lane: Cena's Venture into the Fast & Furious Franchise

As the Fast & Furious franchise continues to evolve, it welcomed John Cena into its high-octane family. Cena's inclusion in "F9: The Fast Saga" was a game-changer, injecting new energy and intensity into the already adrenaline-fueled series.

From WWE to Hollywood: Cena's Cinematic Evolution

John Cena's journey from the wrestling ring to Hollywood is nothing short of a blockbuster plotline. Unlike many wrestlers turned actors, Cena's on-screen presence is as commanding as his wrestling prowess. Let's dive into the reel world of John Cena and explore the movies that showcase his acting chops.

The Marine (2006): A Cena Classic

In his film debut, John Cena starred in "The Marine," a high-octane action thriller that marked the beginning of his Hollywood journey. Picture this: Cena as John Triton, a Marine who finds himself in a cat-and-mouse game with a group of diamond thieves. The movie is a rollercoaster of adrenaline-pumping sequences, reminiscent of Cena's wrestling bouts. It's the perfect introduction to Cena's transition from the squared circle to the silver screen.

Trainwreck (2015): Cena's Comedic Turn

Just when you thought Cena was all about muscle and mayhem, he took a detour into comedy with "Trainwreck." Directed by Judd Apatow and starring Amy Schumer, this film showcases Cena's hilarious side. Picture him as Steven, the sensitive and surprisingly funny muscle-bound boyfriend. It's a delightful surprise to see Cena flex his comedic muscles, proving that there's more to him than meets the eye.

Bumblebee (2018): Cena in the Transformers Universe

In "Bumblebee," Cena joins the Transformers universe in a role that showcases his ability to seamlessly integrate into big-budget franchises. As Agent Burns, Cena adds a layer of intensity to the film, proving that he's not just a comedic or action star but a versatile actor who can hold his own in any genre. The film, much like Cena's career, is a blend of heart-pounding action and unexpected heartwarming moments.

Cena's Cameo Chronicles: Blink and You Might Miss Him

John Cena isn't just the leading man; he's also the master of scene-stealing cameos. In various films, Cena pops up when you least expect it, leaving audiences pleasantly surprised. Here are a few memorable instances:

Daddy's Home 2 (2017): Cena's brief appearance adds an extra layer of hilarity to this comedy sequel.

Sisters (2015): Cena flexes his comedy muscles in a memorable party scene that you won't forget.

Playing with Fire (2019): Cena's Family-Friendly Flick

In "Playing with Fire," Cena takes on the role of a firefighter facing an unexpected challenge – a trio of rambunctious kids. This family-friendly comedy is a testament to Cena's ability to appeal to audiences of all ages. It's a heartwarming film that showcases Cena's softer side while still delivering the laughs and action we've come to expect.

F9: The Fast Saga (2021): Cena's High-Octane Reunion

Cena's return to the Fast and Furious franchise in "F9: The Fast Saga" is a cinematic event in itself. As Jakob Toretto, Cena goes head-to-head with Vin Diesel in a high-stakes family drama with a generous serving of vehicular mayhem. It's a role that adds a new dimension to Cena's filmography, proving that he can hold his own in the adrenaline-fueled world of fast cars and fierce rivalries.

[mogwai-movie-house]

The Best of Prince

Every studio album, ranked and rated high-to-low:

Parade (1986) ★★★★★★★★★★

Purple Rain (1984) ★★★★★★★★★★

Sign 'O’ The Times (1987) ★★★★★★★★★½

Around the World in a Day (1985) ★★★★★★★★★☆

1999 (1982) ★★★★★★★★★☆

Lovesexy (1988) ★★★★★★★★★☆

Controversy (1981) ★★★★★★★★☆☆

The Black Album (1987/1994) ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Dirty Mind (1980) ★★★★★★★½☆☆

Prince (1979) ★★★★★★★½☆☆

MPLSound (2009) ★★★★★★★½☆☆

Diamonds and Pearls (1991) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Batman (1989) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

O(+> (1992) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

The Truth (1998) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

The Chocolate Invasion (2004) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Crystal Ball (1998) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Originals (2019) ★★★★★★★☆☆☆

For You (1978) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

3121 (2006) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

Graffiti Bridge (1990) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

Art Official Age (2014) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

The Gold Experience (1995) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

Emancipation (1996) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

HITnRUN Phase One (2015) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

Come (1994) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

HitNRun Phase Two (2015) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

Lotusflow3r (2009) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

One Nite Alone (2002) ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

Planet Earth (2007) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Piano and a Microphone 1983 (2018) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Musicology (2004) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

The Slaughterhouse (2004) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Plectrumelectrum (2014) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Chaos and Disorder (1996) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

20Ten (2010) ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Exodus (1995) ★★★★★½☆☆☆☆

The Rainbow Children (2001) ★★★★★½☆☆☆☆

Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic (1999) ★★★★★½☆☆☆☆

Xpectation (2003) ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

N·E·W·S (2003) ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Welcome 2 America (2010/2021) ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

The Vault: Old Friends 4 Sale (1999) ★★★★½☆☆☆☆☆

Kamasutra (1997) ★★★★½☆☆☆☆☆

New Power Soul (1998) ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

[chatsworthbyrubes]

~Devonshire Palm and Lotus Tiara~

This extravagant diamond tiara was made for the Louise Duchess of Devonshire, the year after her marriage to the 8th Duke in 1893 when she was 61 yers old.

Louise was seen as a leader of fashion and society within her era, holding many balls at Devonshire House and was especially well known for the magnificent jewellery that she wore.

The tiara shown has a row of 13 scrolled palmettes (a fan-like shape of leaves on a palm tree), alternating with a lotus pattern. The upper section was made around 1893 and was set throughout with cushion-shaped diamonds. The base has a row of lozenge motifs set between two lines of more cushion shaped diamonds and dates from around 1897. It is mounted in silver and gold.

In order to make the tiara, the 8th Duke of Devonshire removed the diamonds in the Devonshire Parure and other heirlooms, such as the 6th Duke's Garter Star. These totalled 1,041 diamonds, to which Skinner added another 840. However, the piece was only pictured on the Duchess for a bunch of rare occasions.

The Tiara was also worn by Evelyn, Duchess of Devonshire at the 1911 Coronation of King George V, when she was Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary, as well as the Coronation of King George VI in 1937. She also wore it for official portraits and galas during her husband’s tenure as Governor General of Canada.

In 1953, at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the Palmette tiara was seen on Mary, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire (daughter-in-law of Evelyn), who was known as the Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth II. She also wore the tiara in a portrait by Cecil Beaton, to State Openings of Parliament in the 1950 and the 1960s, as well as on State Visits to Sweden and The Netherlands, usually with her Opal Necklace (which could also be worn as a Tiara). Mary, Duchess of Devonshire continued to wear the tiara until she retired as Mistress of the Robes in 1965.

Harvard referencing:

Das Diamant Diadem der Herzogin von Devonshire: Lotosblüten -Palmetten (no date) Duchess of Devonshire DIADEM - TIARA| Diamond Palmette Tiara|Anthemium. Available at: https://www.royal-magazin.de/england/devonshire/duchess-devonshire.htm (Accessed: 20 September 2023).

The Derby Tiara, attributed to Skinner & Co., circa 1890 (no date) Sothebys.com. Available at: https://www.sothebys.com/en/digital-catalogues/power-image-royal-aristocratic-tiaras/the-derby-tiara-attributed-to-skinner-co-circa-1890 (Accessed: 20 September 2023).

Devonshire Palm and Lotus tiara (no date) Chatsworth House. Available at: https://www.chatsworth.org/visit-chatsworth/chatsworth-estate/art-archives/devonshire-collections/jewellery-gems-and-objets-de-vertu/devonshire-palm-and-lotus-tiara/ (Accessed: 20 September 2023).

Saad719 (2023) Duchess of devonshire’s tiaras, The Royal Watcher. Available at: https://royalwatcherblog.com/2016/09/24/duchess-of-devonshires-tiaras/#google_vignette (Accessed: 20 September 2023).

Theroyalpost (2015) The Devonshire Diamonds: The coronet, Tiara, & parure, The Royal Post. Available at: https://theroyalpost.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/the-devonshire-diamonds-the-coronet-tiara-parure/ (Accessed: 20 September 2023).

[commonplac3s]

I Am A Tourist In My Own Country

By Zoë Alcazaren, November 10th 2015 https://thoughtcatalog.com/zoe-alcazaren/2015/11/i-am-a-tourist-in-my-own-country/

How do we determine where home is? If I were to take into consideration my unconditional love for Italian cuisine, then home would be Italy. Or perhaps I could give into my obsession with all things Hollywood and call home Los Angeles, California. On rainy days, I write to minha irma, and I am right by the fire in Portugal. Otherwise, home is where the heart is, isn’t it?

To put it bluntly, my heart has been accustomed to a number of places. It has been privy to the likes of Japan, in so that I can tell the minute differences between Philadelphia and California rolls. It has been among the British and Scottish, with whom I have grown a childish fascination for rugby and folk dances. It has traveled to the North Americas, a culture I have adopted so fluently I might as well be living there. But alas, I do not. I am of Filipino heritage and have lived solely in the Philippines for nineteen years. Yet I am somewhat rusty with my Tagalog–I am at least acclimated to the conversational type–and have trouble immersing myself in traditional culture. Essentially, I am a tourist in my own country.

Having attended an international school for ten years, the choses and hohols of contemporary Filipino youth have evaded my everyday lifestyle — does this mean I am not at home? I certainly don’t believe so. The idea of tourism is, in itself, for pleasure, and being a tourist within my origin of birth makes it all the more fascinating.

I am a five-year-old girl, giddy with excitement traipsing throughout the discount jungle that is Greenhills. I am overcome by a desire for Chickenjoy and fish-balls after a sweat tsunami morning at uni (ang init! — and my apologies, Ronald, but you still have nothing on our fat, stupid, happy bee). I am a monkey on the loose, dashing through sand and sun on the shores of Mactan or Panglao. Every encounter with Filipino tradition is like experiencing it for the first time–I hold my hands out, palms up, ready to catch bits and pieces of my hometown as if it’d been raining diamonds.

I do feel lucky–just as many Filipinos may know all seven thousand Philippine islands like the back of their hand, I reach out with open arms, and every day is a new discovery. Home is where you lose yourself. Find yourself. The way I have fallen apart and rebuilt the fragments of my brokenness. The Philippines is where I have loved and lost. Where a family awaits my return every single time I have left. It is ironic–a Filipino who may not know where the nearest cellphone stall is at a tsangge in Ortigas, and I may as well be a perpetual visitor. But I do belong.

Comments (1) Miel Barrera Abong:

I am in love with this piece, Zoe. It is everything I am thinking right now. I have lived in the Philippines for 24 years, knowing more English than necessary in this country, and getting hungry for recipes whose ingredients cannot be found here. All I could think of is how much I would love to rediscover this country because I feel more like a foreigner here than everywhere else I end up going. Thank you for this piece. It so beautifully put my exact thoughts on paper. Congratulations on being published!

[rihanna-online]

diamond ball, los angeles (december 10, 2015)